Scotland-West Highland| A82 | Skyfall

First day of our West Highland trip was stay over in Fort William, we departed from Edinburgh Coach station in the morning, driving all the way up to the north. We had the first brief stop at a very new photography spot-The Kelpies. It's a 30 meter-high sculptures in Falkirk.

Kelpies, from Wikipedia's explanation :" is the Scottish name given to a shape-shifting water spirit inhabiting the lochs(Gaelic: Lake) and pools of Scotland. It has usually been described as appearing as a horse, but is able to adopt human form."

[The Kelpies Sculpture, you can see them from the far way on the motorway]

The folklore that I heard was when someone who approach the loch, they'll appearing as a bonny horse , bonny lass , once the traveller ride on their back, they'll take the traveller jump into the water to drown them. In some folklore they even eat human flesh!

The next location, again, if you're a huge fan of Outlander and GOT(Game of thrones) just as I am. Calm down, don't screaming! We're going to the Doune Castle. Be patient, I'll tell you which scene that they use for filming these two TV series later.

Doune Castle is a medieval stronghold castle in Stirling. It was first built in 13th century but being damage later on. Then rebuilt it again in late 14th century. OK, as I promise I'm going to reveal which scene they film with this castle.

[Doune Castle from outside]

They use this castle as the fictional Castle Leoch in Outlander. And was set for Winterfell in GOT at the first season. (They move to Northern Ireland to film afterwards as it's much cheaper there!) The Skye boat song (Outlander version) was lingering in my mind when I walking around the castle "Sing me a song of a lass that is gone, say could that lass be I?" Picturing about Jamie and Claire been walked pass by these ground.

[the yard of Doune Castle]

After lunch time, we drove along A82 road, you can see the view on both side already change from field to moutains. And our amazing guide Heather is playing 007:Skyfall's music. Yes, this is also one of scene that they film Skyfall. Where James Pond take M escape from London to Scotland while they park aside of the road. I can tell you the landscape on A82 was stunning that would leave you speechless!

[Landscape alongside of A82, you can see there's a hiking trail and some trekker hike a the way down]

A82 road passes to numerous landmarks, we've been to Loch Lomond, Glencoe, Ben Nevis (the highest mountain in the UK, "Ben" in Gaelic mean: big ), Loch Ness , The Commando Memorial and Urquhart Castle. (One of Loch Ness boat trip their finish point is here)

[Landsacape alongside of A82]

Glencoe is a glen (aka valley) of volcanic origins. Heather told us a sad history about this place - Massacre of Glencoe, Campbell-led government troops massacred 38 MacDonalds. There's even a world says "Never trust a Campbell" from then. If you're interested in this story, you can google it online. The weather was windy with the drizzle rain when we arrived in Glencoe, as if you can still feel the sorrow atmosphere in the air of this incident from over 300 years ago.

[Gelencoe]

The next day in the morning, before we heading to Mallaig to take the ferry, we stopped by a popular spot-Glenfinnan Viaduct. We walked to the viewpoint waiting for The Jacobite-steam train come through, this is another film location for Harry Potter where the train toward to Hogwarts. Just like most of Scotland location, it's always muddy after the rain. Prepare to wear wellington or hiking boots. And make sure you check the train timetable before you visit here!

[The Jacobite steam train passsing through Glenfinnan Viaduct]